Evaluation of knowledge of osteoporosis and self-efficacy perception of female orthopaedic patients in Turkey

Abstract

Ozturk a & Sendirm(2011) Journal of Nursing and Healthcare of Chronic Illness3, 319–328 Evaluation of knowledge of osteoporosis and self-efficacy perception of female orthopaedic patients in Turkey Aim. To evaluate the osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy of female orthopaedic patients. Background. Osteoporosis can affect either gender; however, 80% of those affected are women. Many women present with fractures of the hip or wrist each year as a result of osteoporosis. The disease is essentially incurable and so a preventive public health approach is required. Knowledge-based intervention programmes have been effective in increasing osteoporosis awareness. Method. This descriptive cross-sectional survey design was conducted in three public and two private hospitals in Turkey. The sample consisted of 146 patients hospitalised in orthopaedic clinics of these hospitals. Data were collected by a Demographic Questionnaire, Osteoporosis Knowledge Test and Osteoporosis Self-Efficacy Scale. Data were collected in 2007. Results. The mean age of the patients was 59·6 ± 12·9 years. Patients’ osteoporosis knowledge (9·9 ± 4·4) and osteoporosis self-efficacy perception mean scores (778·2 ± 260·4) were low. It has been determined that osteoporosis self-efficacy increases as osteoporosis knowledge increases. Significant relations between age and both osteoporosis knowledge and self-efficacy were found. In addition, osteoporosis knowledge was found to be correlated with education and income. Conclusion. The results indicated that female orthopaedic patients display low level of knowledge and self-efficacy with regard to the osteoporosis. Women may engage in self-efficacy perceptions which would help to prevent osteoporosis, if they are informed regarding the effects and risk factors of osteoporosis, and the preventative behaviours associated with osteoporosis. Relevance to clinical practice. Results indicate the need for further health education concerning the importance of dietary calcium and exercise on osteoporosis prevention in female orthopaedic patients especially who are older and have less formal education.